[Egypt Independent] A group of unknown assailants carrying knives attacked and maimed demonstrators protesting against the president in the city of Mahalla Sunday.

The demonstrators had been blocking the railways and setting fire to rubber tires on the tracks when the assailants attacked them.

The attackers took the demonstrators' megaphones, and set a hospital in Shoun Square on fire.

Sources who did not wish to be identified told Al-Masry Al-Youm that shop owners whose businesses were affected by demonstrators' blocking of the road had hired the attackers.

Mahalla, a city in the Delta, has been a main focus for protests against the Moslem Brüderbund and the president after the 25 January revolution, along with cities along the Suez Canal, such as Suez, Ismailia and Port Said.
Posted by: Fred 2013-02-25